Did you feel that Gippsland?

AN estimated 4.6 magnitude earthquake has struck South Gippsland early this morning (February 9 at 12.49am). An exact epicentre wasn't released with initial reports placing it near Leongatha at a depth of 7 kilometres.

In fact the exact location of the 'Leongatha' earthquake is Longitude 146.00 x Latitude: -38.56 putting the centre just north of Meeniyan, between Koonwarra and Meeniyan.

After the quake at Foster on Tuesday, February 6, Geoscience Australia said there could be “aftershocks”! They weren’t kidding.

Adam Pascale from the Seismology Research Centre, who was woken in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, said many people across the city and regional areas would have felt the quake.

Pascale said Friday’s tremor was technically closer to the small town of Meeniyan (population 771) and was recorded on a seismograph in Korumburra that was installed after a magnitude 4.7 quake there in 2009.

He said it followed three in the area in the past week, including Foster 3.3 magnitude tremor, possibly making it a “fourshock” although more data will need to be crunched to confirm if the shakes are related.

“Now this is a larger event so that was obviously a foreshock but we didn’t know that until it actually happened,” he said on X formerly Twitter today.

“So, it woke me up the in northern suburbs of Melbourne, so I'm sure that a lot of people across the city have felt this one.

“There may be more aftershocks continuing. So, we'll see. We'll have some more information later in the day.”

Here’s a selection of the comments on the Sentinel-Times’ Facebook page:

• Cheree Dodson, Altona: Yes, was awake at the time. That was very strong! Whole house was shaking for a good few seconds or so. Dogs not disturbed at all.
• Jess Edwards, Wonthaggi: Yup, woke me up in Wonthaggi. Friends in Bittern felt it as well.
• George Misson, Inverloch. Leongatha sits smack bang between two extinct volcanoes, and one of the fault lines that run through the area. Just 'Mother Nature' having a 'burp' to relieve a bit of pressure..
• Bronwyn Lee, Beaconsfield: Yes, I felt it in Beaconsfield. I heard it coming and then the place rattled for a few seconds.
• Adam Dowling, Leongatha: I live in Leongatha, the whole house was shaking, I was sitting on the couch rocking with it.
• Chezza Moore, Gembrook: It was strong in Gembrook as well! Door and windows were shaking.
• Diane Joy, Inverloch: Huge. I thought a truck had run into the house. Didn't last long but was powerful. I am in Inverloch. Awake having a cup of tea now!
• Mary-Kate Vidic, Korumburra: It woke my husband and I up in Korumburra!
• Tina Caddy, Wonthaggi: Yes, 12.50, Wonthaggi! Thought it was possums on the roof at first, then realised everything was shaking!!
• Elizabeth Nauta, Port Welshpool: Yes it rumbled here but I didn’t feel a shake - was half awake before and wondered if it was an earthquake! Port Welshpool.
• Irene Holm, Buffalo: Sounded like a truck driving through the house!! Very Noisy.
• Angie Ford, Leongatha: Woke me up with a fright, sounded like a freight train about to hit. Windows and furniture rattling, knew it had to be bigger than the usual rumbles. Scared my poor cat! Think most of Leongatha, where I am, are awake! Not a lot of chance of going straight back to sleep!